When our silence is broken 'a metamorphosis begins'
In 2019, I remember living in a domestic violence shelter and having what felt like hitting rock bottom. My life felt like it was falling apart, and I struggled to tell my story. I had been struggling for years before it even reached this point! I struggled to say what was happening in my household behind closed doors. I was struggling with letting go and with letting my children down by breaking up our family, even though I knew that this situation had deeply broken them too. I was struggling as a black woman being forced to call the police on my then-husband; I was prone to believe that I was making the wrong decision because I had been culturally taught and shown for so long that you do not talk about what goes on in your home. Struggling to keep up with, at the time, a very demanding career and day-to-day commitments, I was struggling to ask for help, and my mental health felt like it was deteriorating. I was looking for a way out before I entirely had the courage to physically bring myself out of what felt like a never-ending nightmare, so I wrote the below poem, "When Her Silence Was Broken," to articulate how I felt and what I was experiencing. It is a piece that I believe can speak to many.
Last month in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month, B Free 2 Fly hosted its first Survivors Symposium, I AM Enough! An event to promote healing and awareness on the subject matter, but to also have sobering conversations for all survivors; of suicide, depression, grief, loss, and sexual assault. We are all survivors!
To think that a woman so broken, so despondent, could make it to victory and triumph and stand before people and tell my story boldly, bravely, and fearlessly brings my heart great joy. Looking back at where I was and how far I have come felt like something not tangible or achievable. Where I am today is a true testament to survival, transformational growth, healing, and the process of becoming a butterfly.
There are so many people, or as I call them, "villagers" around me to thank. A special thank you to Suqueta Henley of The Toolbox for taking this journey with me and being a valuable asset to the B Free 2 Fly organization and your purpose and call. Thank you to all attendees, the keynote speaker, panelists, creative entertainment, sponsors, and volunteers for your help in making this vision a reality and understanding that by me breaking my silence, it is helping to free the hearts and minds of so many.
Do you hear the roar?! I hear the roar......... I AM Enough, and my silence has been broken!
When Her Silence Was Broken by Maury Danielle
When her silence was broken,
she had nowhere to run.
When her silence was broken,
her journey had just begun.
When her silence was broken,
she had many needs.
But that silence being broken,
brought her crashing to her knees.
Though her silence had been broken,
she had no clue what to do.
When that silence was broken,
she was void of help and unable to
see her way through.
When her silence was broken,
judgment, slander, and fear came.
When her silence was broken,
all she felt was humiliation and shame.
When her silence was broken,
she knew that she had to survive.
When her silence was broken,
she couldn’t see the other side.
The other side to hope,
freedom and a voice to save
her children cried deep inside.
When her silence was broken,
she reached out and found.
Silence was the very thing that
kept her bound.
Silence was chained to darkness
and darkness chained to death.
When her silence was broken,
she had to walk away, never turning back,
for she had nothing left.
When her silence was broken,
the resources and help were there.
Silence being broken, allowed her to reach,
grab and her journey became clear.
She prayed, she fasted, and the answers
came from God above.
Her silence being broken brought a myriad
of support with God’s heart and love.
Many were her advocates and
many were angels in flesh.
These great pioneers and warriors,
stood with her through many great
battles and tests.
When her silence was broken,
she knew the road would be lonely
and sometimes distant.
By her silence being broken,
she endured great pain and
intense resistance.
When her silence was broken,
she realized there were others
waiting on her story.
By her silence being broken,
it would save many and
bring God glory.
Many nights she lay awake and pray.
Many days she sent up an S.O.S.
for God to save the day.
When her silence was broken,
it was her faith and hope that
opened many doors.
Her faith and her prayers gave her
strength to face each day.
When her silence was broken,
she had visions of women and
children trapped in despair.
By her silence being broken,
it opened many eyes, hearts and
minds for those that were not aware.
When her silence was broken,
she stood not only for her
generations past.
By her silence being broken,
at last a nation’s darkness
was unmasked.
Her silence being broken,
allowed her to see the mantle
she had to carry.
When her silence was broken,
defeat and depression, she had to bury.
When her silence was broken,
she realized healing was along the path.
When her silence was broken,
she learned to navigate through
the aftermath.
When her silence was broken,
she reached to God as her ultimate source.
When silence was broken,
the angels of whom God sent
were the carrying force.
When her silence was broken,
she walked in her truth and became
empowered by her story.
For all things work together for
our good and can be used for God’s glory.
When her silence was broken,
she realized only she could tell her truth.
By her silence being broken.
It was the feet of her faith that
propelled her to move.
When her silence was broken,
all lies and forces of darkness had to flee.
When her silence was broken.
Her truth became the wind
beneath her wings.
Through her silence being broken.
She was now connected to many
great women who shared the same.
The Sojourn of truth and the
history behind their names.
Giving homage to many who
fought the battle before her.
When her silence was broken,
those women of truth became
powerful sorors.
Now that her silence had been broken,
she could not let generations past down.
For the steps taken and the tears they cried,
was a paved road of celebrated resilience.
and significant stride.
When her silence was broken,
freedom rang for many women and children.
But what about the ones who had been
silenced and put to death.
Those with hearts cracked
and words unspoken.
When her silence was broken,
she heard “stand tall, hold your
head up high.”
This was a way for society,
justice and all nations to see
the God inside.
Putting on the full armor of God,
broke barriers and sent bombs
into the enemy’s camp.
By her silence being broken,
she became strong in God’s mighty power.
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah,
captured the enemy and brought
him to his own devour.
With the belt of truth, the breastplate
of righteousness, the feet of peace,
the shield of faith, the sword of God’s
word and the helmet of salvation.
Her silence was finally broken,
and God granted her family a
generational restoration.
When her silence was broken!
~Maury Danielle~
Copyright © 2019
